255/75/17 KO2 Pizza Cutters

[04rnr]

Exactly, they may have wide tires but that's not for traction. In fact, they have terrible traction being 2WD and rely on the suspension to compensate and only go through the deeper sand thanks to momentum.

For the 4R, the narrower tire will provide more traction than a wider tire when aired down. However, the wider tire will provide more stability on road and maybe also in off-camber situations, which is what concerns me a bit.

I disagree... wheeling out here in Colorado on the rocks, we use to have a guy that swore his "pizza cutter" tires were as good or better, on the rocks. after a few runs with us and he didnt get the traction that we did he quit running with us. We seen this in person wider vs skinny on rocks, and yes, we all did air down to the same PSI, if I remember it was about 15PSI, he just did not, get the traction that we did running 285-75s. I wished I could remember which tire he ran, but that was years ago lol
Either way, I always say, get what YOU want, not what those on the forums want. Its your rig and YOU make the payments not us lol

 

[Backwood]

There's thousands of articles online and in magazines that debate the wide vs skinny topic. There's thousands of off-road buggies running both. Side by sides and military vehicles also use both... experience plays a much bigger role than tire width but both tires do have their own sets of pros and cons.

Most of the articles I have read pretty much agree that in most off-road conditions skinny tires are more beneficial unless the sand/mud/snow is deeper than your ground clearance, some articles say 110% deeper, in those instances you want to float more. When the soft ground is not deeper than ground clearance then skinny tires cut into the ground better. While wider tires create more friction.... Resistance. Resistance doesn't help momentum. Wider tires have a larger contact area. More sidewall for dropping pressure. But this is normally only ideal in very deep soft grounds or over sharp rocks. Less air equals more resistance.



All that being said... I like the looks of a 285 over a 255... But for the type of off-road conditions I drive in... 255s would work better... I'll still most likely get a 285/70 size when I'm ready for more tires.

 

[KRose]

Update on the Cooper ST Maxx. They have pulled like a ***** since they and are loud as heck, but at 45K miles and a ton of trails, they did their work. Only had one tire shredded on a rock and it was covered under the discount tires add on coverage.

One thing to note is if you need one replaced on a trip, I have found it to be a special order at most stores.

Now I need to figure out if I am going bigger, smaller or even switching brands. Love these on the trail, but they chunk in snow. I'd like to put a snowflake tire on the truck. There is also that chop and regear being whispered in my ear.

Have a great weekend!

 

[KarlwithaK]

Great thread, I’m learning more and more about tire performance.

FWIW, I have 255/75/17s on a Wrangler Rubicon. I have no complaints. Light to moderate off roading, no issues in rain or snow.

 

[91foxbody]

Update on the Cooper ST Maxx. They have pulled like a ***** since they and are loud as heck, but at 45K miles and a ton of trails, they did their work. Only had one tire shredded on a rock and it was covered under the discount tires add on coverage.

One thing to note is if you need one replaced on a trip, I have found it to be a special order at most stores.

Now I need to figure out if I am going bigger, smaller or even switching brands. Love these on the trail, but they chunk in snow. I'd like to put a snowflake tire on the truck. There is also that chop and regear being whispered in my ear.

Have a great weekend!

Why not 255/80 Wildpeak? 3 peak rated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KRose]

Great question. They were a somewhat unknown entity and had some negative reviews when I bought tires last. that said, I was looking at them on the discount tire site last night and noticed the 3 peak rating. I have no experience with that brand so far so i have some reading up to do. I see it's E which is good for me and my habit of driving around sharp rocks. Thanks for the input!

 

[ahtoxa11]

that's interesting--I feel the opposite.

When I think narrow, I think offroad.
When I see wide tires and spacers, I think it's just for cosmetics

And that makes sense, because few put on skinny tires for looks vs. the other way around where wide tires are often used for looks.

But, wider tires can offer more grip, especially in aired down situations when the tire is allowed to wrap around the rock or root. Larger surface area of the tire allows it to wrap more and create more traction. Similar with pea gravel/loose rock and mud.

There really isn't a wrong answer here, because I bet that real life performance of skinny vs. wider isn't all that noticeable, especially when we're talking 10.5" vs 11.5" or so -- it's not that major. So it all comes down to personal preference and priorities.

 

[spartacus]

Skinnier tires will be fine for most because they will never even come close to pushing the boundaries of the vehicle or the tire. Folks like the look of a tire. If you are an experienced off roader you are good with almost any tire since you will pick a line depending on the capability and limitation of your overall suspension, tires, locked or not and the vehicle etc.
Get the tire that suits you and then push it's boundaries and see if you want to change. I prefer a fat tire because it handles off road better for me but is not that great when it comes to mpgs and long mountain uphill grades because of it's heavy rolling resistance.

 

[KRose]

What tire pressure are you running for normal driving? I am usually 35-40 on road.

 

[Deuxdiesel]

255 KO2's on 8.5" wheels with zero offset. Yeah, it works just fine.

 

[Gstick]

Will the 255/75/17 pizza cutters mounted on OEM TRD OR wheels fit under a stock 4R suspension ? (no lift front or rear)

 

[Deuxdiesel]

Will the 255/75/17 pizza cutters mounted on OEM TRD OR wheels fit under a stock 4R suspension ? (no lift front or rear)

I have a set of 255/75r17 Duratracs on OEM 4Runner steel wheels (7.5") for winter driving and they clear without any issue. I think the specs on the steelies are very similar to the TRD wheels.

 

[Gstick]

I have a set of 255/75r17 Duratracs on OEM 4Runner steel wheels (7.5") for winter driving and they clear without any issue. I think the specs on the steelies are very similar to the TRD wheels.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like your 4R is lifted or maybe a leveling kit ?

It looks very good by the way !!!

 

[Deuxdiesel]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like your 4R is lifted or maybe a leveling kit ?

It looks very good by the way !!!

It has a 1.6" front lift, now sagged to just over 1.2". Those tires fit fine before the lift. Remember, those tires are just .5" in diameter larger and 1 cm narrower. All 4R's are a little different it seems, but if you check your clearance with full lock, you will get a good idea if they will work.

 

[ScoutRecon]

I have a question for for the folks running the skinny tires. How do they handle in the sand aired down?

 

[Deuxdiesel]

I have a question for for the folks running the skinny tires. How do they handle in the sand aired down?

That debate will linger for years. Sand is like snow in that no two conditions are the same. There was a video years ago from this older Aussie guy who explained that the longer contact patch from a narrow tire acted like a ramp on sand, vs. the wider patch which acted like a wall. It made sense.

 

[ScoutRecon]

Yeah I can see that being debatable vs a wide tire, there is no perfect tire for every situation. I was just looking for some reviews from people who drive on beaches or in the desert driving in the loose stuff. Personally, I'm not really interested in a wider tire for where I drive the wife's runner and my 80 series. A wide tire is not my choice for snow or wet roads.

 

[gsteitz]

255 KO2's on 8.5" wheels with zero offset. Yeah, it works just fine.
View attachment 383505

This looks awesome, and sealed the deal on 255s for me. Definitely think the 8.5" wheels help the look. Which ones are those?

 

[David9962000]

The 255/75 is 2LBS heavier than a K02 in a stock size both C load. Can you notice a gain in MPG?

 

[Deuxdiesel]

My wheels are Motegi Trail 150's. I bought a set of slightly used O/R wheels and Discount scratched them all up, so this is what I chose as a free replacement. I am pretty much stuck at 19.4 average MPG, mostly rural and gravel roads.